volume. I'll come and meet you when I've done it. Be quick will you—and—Oh wait; Hadnt't you better read to him a bit? Run to the house and get some sort of a good book—Anything will do."
I did as I was desired; but, suspecting something from her hurried manner and the suddenness of the request, I just glanced back before I quitted the field, and there was Mr. Hatfield about to enter at the gate below. By sending me to the house for a book, she had just prevented my meeting him on the road.
"Nevermind!" thought I, "there'll be no great harm done. Poor Mark will be glad of the half-crown, and perhaps, of the good book too; and if the rector does steal Miss Rosalie's heart, it will only humble her pride a little; and if they do get married at last, it will only save her from a worse fate; and she will be quite a good enough partner for him, and he for her."
Mark Wood was the consumptive labourer whom I mentioned before. He was now rapidly wearing away. Miss Murray, by her liberality, obtained literally the blessing of him that was ready to perish; for though the half-crown
